Refusing to sit still

Here is Natalie, made for the Living Portraits exhibition at Oxford Gallery. I've previously written about the process I've been through to make this, here.

This work refuses to settle.

It can hang on a wall or sit on a plinth. Her face can be almost completely hidden, with only her eyes peering over the edge, or I can choose to open the box completely. It can sit amongst the other tools and objects on my desk, closed and quiet.

It wants to play. It doesn't want to completely accept its role.

For me, this work has also forced me to spend time engaging with drawing, with an attention to line and accuracy that I don't often make time for.

I revisited paintings by Euan Uglow, who was one of the first figurative artists I was introduced to, and who was no doubt a master of observational drawing. I was interested in what happened when I brought that kind of discipline to drawing Natalie’s lovely face, but the object that holds it resists being pinned down. A bit like her, maybe? And that’s probably why we are friends.

Living Portraits at Oxford Gallery opens on Thursday 15 October until Sunday 15 November. It's a community exhibition open to everyone, and will have art by experienced artists and less experienced ones, and is open to adults and children. I'm looking forward to seeing what else is in the show.

There is an official opening celebration on Thursday 17 October, 2-4pm. All are welcome.